Chapter 103
Cole released Hailey’s hand and pulled out a chair for her. "Thank you," she whispered, smiling, and took her seat. Cole served them both food, and they ate together.
"Are you okay? You hardly touched your plate. You've just been watching me eat," Hailey said, taking a sip of her orange juice. "Not hungry."
"You sure? These seem yummy," she said, placing her glass, which still contained some juice, on the table.
"I ate on the plane, remember?"
Hailey blushed, placing her hand on her belly. "Honey, your dad is calling me a foodie because you're always making me eat."
Cole chuckled. "No, babe. Stop telling her false stories."
Hailey arched a brow, a small smile playing on her lips. "Her?"
"Yes, our little girl."
"Oh, my love," Hailey mumbled, rubbing her belly. "I'm sure you enjoyed the food, too. Your daddy wants you to be a girl so badly." Cole smiled. "Come on, babe. Don't act like you don't want the same."
Hailey shrugged. "Maybe I do, but it's good to have an open mind so we won't be disappointed. This is something we have no control over, remember?"
"I know, and I'll love it so much regardless of the gender."
Hailey smiled. "Being with you makes me feel like this is my first time getting pregnant."
"I can't change the past, no matter how much it hurts me. So here I am, doing all I can to make you happy."
Hailey nodded, smiling. "I feel like a child again. It feels good to have someone taking care of me."
"Are you done eating so I can show you around?" Cole asked, fiddling with his fingers under the table.
"Not yet. I want to finish this yummy chicken."
Chapter 103
Once Hailey finished eating, Cole gave her a tour of the bungalow apartment. He showed her the kitchen, the spacious living room, the balcony overlooking the outdoor pool and garden, the guest room (which they probably wouldn't use), and then the master bedroom. He sighed, grasped the doorknob, and opened the door.
A shy smile touched Hailey's lips. "Babe," she chuckled.
Cole gestured. "Ladies first."
"Okay!" she said, smiling as she slowly entered the room. Tears welled in Hailey's eyes as she took in the scene, her gaze fixed on the wall where a question was boldly displayed.
The room was beautifully decorated with rose petals on the floor and balloons cascading from the ceiling. On the wall, decorations spelled out, "Will you marry me?" Hailey wiped tears from her eyes.
She turned to Cole, who was already on one knee. He took a small, square box from his pocket and opened it, revealing a diamond ring. Another tear rolled down Hailey's cheek.
"My love!" Cole began, gazing adoringly into her eyes. "After two babies and one on the way, here I am, still smitten by you. I've wanted to do this since I saw you again because I knew I couldn't lose you again."
"I had no idea it was possible to love someone this much. And I apologize for taking so long to accept my feelings."
"I love you so much, Hailey. Even if I were reborn, I wouldn't hesitate to choose you as my soulmate. You brighten my world, and I can't imagine you with anyone else." Hailey sniffled, trying to compose herself.
"I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. I swear to always make you smile and make up for all the time we were apart."
"I'm grateful for this second chance, which I'll never take for granted. Words can't express how I feel, babe. You mean the world to me. I want this to be the start of a new chapter in our lives. Hailey Riley, will you marry me?"
Chapter 103
"It depends if that beauty fits me," she sobbed, chuckling.
Cole took the ring from the box and put the box away. Hailey extended her finger, and he slid the ring onto her left ring finger.
Hailey smiled radiantly. "It fits perfectly."
Cole kissed the ring, then rose and wiped away her tears with his thumb. "I don't know if I could live with myself if you'd refused me. Thank you." He kissed her softly.
"I didn't see this coming. We've been married before, plus we're having another baby. I knew we needed to talk about our future, but I didn't expect this proposal."